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Patrick McCann
“title =” Tom Foley: Danoli’s Legendary Trainer “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/24/88778 -medium .jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/24/88778-medium.jpeg “data-br-m =” https: / / www .rp-assets.com / images / news / 2021/02/24/88778-large.jpeg “data-br-w =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/ 02/24/88778-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2021/02/24/88778-large.jpeg “onclick =” return false ; “>
By David Jennings
Tom Foley, one of the gentlemen of Irish motorsport and trainer of the legendary jumper Danoli, has died at the age of 74.
He had been battling prostate cancer for the past several years, and fittingly his last winner was at his local track when Rebel Gold won the Gowran Park beginner chase on Thyestes Chase day last month.
Danoli became the people’s horse in the 1990s. He was considered the Irish banker at the 1994 Cheltenham Festival and duly obligated in the Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle under Charlie Swan. He won 17 races, including the 1997 Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown after a thrilling fight with Jodami. The previous year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Imperial Call, was 20 lengths behind in third place.
Caroline norris
“title =” Danoli leads Jodami at Leopardstown in 1997 “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/01/31/37006 – medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/01/31/37006-medium.jpeg “data-br-m =” https: / / www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/01/31/37006-large.jpeg “data-br-w =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/ 01 /31/37006-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2018/01/31/37006-large.jpeg “onclick =” return false ; “>
Willie Mullins paid tribute to Foley, not only praising his character but also his abilities as a coach.
He said: “He was a gentleman, the salt of the earth. He knew how to train a good horse when he had one. The Danoli Combination, Dan O’Neill [owner] and Tom was very popular and the day he won at Cheltenham will remain in memory.
Foley switched from farming to training after purchasing an Irish draft horse, and later built his own stables. His first win came at Tramore in January 1988 when Rua Batric won an obstacle handicap 6-1.
Danoli was the standard bearer for the Foley stable, but he trained other elite horses, including Royal Paradise, which won the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in 2005. Others who made the stable proud over the years were Moon Man, The Subbie, Go Now, Dariak and Dancing Hero.
Foley is survived by his wife Goretti, daughters Sharon, Adrienne, and Goretti, and son Patrick.
FIRST POST 8:11 PM, FEBRUARY 24, 2021
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